Press Releases

HOLLYWOOD, California, November 3, 2011/TOKYO, November 4, 2011 – Canon Inc. today announced Canon's full-fledged entry into the motion picture production industry with the launch of the Cinema EOS System. Canon's new professional digital cinematography system spans the lens, digital cinema camera and digital SLR camera product categories.

The Cinema EOS System targets a new area of imaging expression for Canon, building on the company's 74-year history of innovation and expertise in the field of optical and imaging technology. The company has already earned accolades in the entertainment industry for the EOS 5D Mark II digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, launched in November 2008, which has been used in the production of blockbuster Hollywood motion pictures and hit television programs.

Canon's new Cinema EOS System, which offers compatibility with Canon's wide array of high-performance EF lenses, provides cinematographers with a range of unprecedented creative possibilities to ensure that no story is left untold.

"As a leading company in digital imaging, Canon's debut in the film and TV production industry provides a tremendous opportunity to enter into a thriving market," said Fujio Mitarai, Chairman and CEO, Canon Inc. "Reflecting upon the achievements that Canon EOS Digital SLRs have had in the industry thus far, we are confident the new Cinema EOS series products will bring that success to a whole new level."

With the debut of the Cinema EOS System, Canon today introduced seven new 4K EF Cinema Lenses-four zoom lenses and three single-focal-length models-which complement the company's current diverse lineup of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS SLR cameras. The company also announced the launch of the EOS C300/C300 PL interchangeable-lens digital cinema camera, equipped with a Super 35-mm-equivalent CMOS sensor, and a new digital SLR camera currently under development that features a 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor supporting the recording of 4K video.

The Canon EOS C300/C300 PL is an all new digital cinema camera available in two models: the EOS C300, equipped with an EF lens mount for compatibility with the wide array of lenses that make up Canon's current interchangeable EF lens lineup; and the EOS C300 PL, offering a PL lens mount for use with industry-standard PL lenses. The camera features a Super 35 mm-equivalent approximately 8.29-megapixel CMOS sensor ideally suited for digital cinematography. (See accompanying EOS C300/C300 PL press release.)

New Digital SLR Camera with 4K Movie Function (Under Development)

Equipped with a 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor and supporting the recording of 4K video* (at a frame rate of 24P, with Motion-JPEG compression), the next-generation digital SLR camera currently under development will enable exceptional image quality for the creation of innovative and expressive images. Additional details, including the product name, specifications and scheduled launch date, have yet to be decided. (See accompanying digital SLR camera press release.)

* Cropped to APS-H-equivalent size (dimensions measuring approximately 80% vertically and horizontally of a 35 mm full-frame sensor) when recording in 4K.

Cinema EOS System: Product Overview

Product category

Model

Mount type

EF Cinema Lenses

CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L S

EF mount

CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L SP

PL mount

CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S

EF mount

CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L SP

PL mount

CN-E24mm T1.5 L F

EF mount

CN-E50mm T1.3 L F

EF mount

CN-E85mm T1.3 L F

EF mount

Digital Cinema Cameras

EOS C300

EF mount

EOS C300 PL

PL mount

Digital SLR Camera (under development)

TBD

EF mount

For more information and to view online demonstration footage of the new products please visit: www.canoncinemaeos.com

Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leader in the fields of professional and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. Canon's extensive range of products includes copying machines, inkjet and laser printers, cameras, video equipment, medical equipment and semiconductor-manufacturing equipment. Originally established in 1937 as Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd., a camera manufacturer, Canon has successfully diversified and globalized to become a worldwide industry leader in professional and consumer imaging systems and solutions. With over 195,000 employees worldwide, Canon has manufacturing and marketing subsidiaries in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania; and a global R&D network with companies based in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Canon's consolidated net sales for fiscal 2010 (ended December 31, 2010) totalled $45.8 billion (at an exchange rate of ¥81 = US$1). Visit the Canon Inc. website at: www.canon.com